Rakesh Sharma | |
|---|---|
 Rakesh Sharma, as a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force | |
| Born | 13 January 1949 |
| Status | Retired |
| Alma mater | National Defence Academy Air Force Academy |
| Occupation(s) | Fighter pilot at IAF Research Cosmonaut at ISRO Test pilot at HAL |
| Space career | |
| Indian cosmonaut | |
Time in space | 7d 21h 40m |
| Selection | 1982 Intercosmos (India) |
| Missions | Soyuz T-11/T-10 |
Mission insignia |   |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1970 – 1990 |
| Rank |  Wing Commander |
| Service number | 12396 F(P) |
| Battles / wars | 1971 Indo-Pakistani War |
| Awards |  Ashok Chakra  Hero of the Soviet Union |
| Spouse(s) | Madhu Sharma |
| Children | 2 |
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, AC (born 13 January 1949) is an Indian astronaut and a former Indian Air Force officer. He flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. He is the only Indian citizen to travel in space, although there have been other astronauts of Indian origin who travelled to space, who were not Indian citizens.[1][2] Another Air Force pilot, Ravish Malhotra, was placed on standby.[3]
- ^ "Cosmonaut Biography: Rakesh Sharma". Spacefacts.de. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ "Rakesh Sharma". Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
- ^ "Cosmonaut Biography: Ravish Malhotra".